Kentucky State Representative Lynn Bechler issued a press release Wednesday, saying he has advocated for replacing the existing bridge, which has been in use since 1931.
“The need for a new bridge is long overdue,” said Bechler. “Having access to dependable transportation is critical to public safety and quality of life. Investing in our roads makes it possible to move goods and provides our citizens connections to health care, education, and entertainment.”
The bridge splits Livingston county and is the only direct link for local commuters, commerce, school buses and emergency responders.
The narrow, 1,817-foot-long bridge will be replaced with a 40-foot-wide, 1,912-foot-long bridge with 12-foot driving lanes and 6-foot shoulders. While the new bridge will be two lanes, it will provide ample clearance for most farm equipment to cross without stopping oncoming traffic.
Jim Smith Contracting was awarded the $63.6 million construction contract in June, and the bridge should open to traffic in the spring of 2023.
KYTC District 1 Chief Engineer Kyle Poat says pre-construction activities, such as placement of work zone signage, work on access roads, and an equipment assembly and supply storage yard could start this week.
During a pre-construction conference, Jim Smith Contracting provided an outline of the construction schedule to KYTC:
July 2020
Pier and bearing repairs on the existing bridge, with few traffic disruptions
Pre-Construction of access roads, laydown yard, equipment deliveries
August 2020
Tree and brush removal with initial excavations to prepare for pier construction
Embankment prep for north approach
Excavations to prepare for south approach
September 2020
Start on Pier 1 & 2 construction & abutment
Start piers 5-9
October 2020
Shafts for Pier 3
Utility work – water and sewer
November 2020
Steel fabrication for approach spans
Approach 1 & 2 beams
Concrete on initial approach spans
January 2021
Infrastructure for truss assembly site
March-June 2021
Pier 3 footing, columns, web wall, cap
South abutment
Shafts at Pier 4
July-October 2021
Beams on spans 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 3
Cofferdam for Pier 4
Concrete north approach spans
Structural steel deliveries
Begin assembly of main truss
Pier 4 footing, columns, web wall, cap
June 2022
Span 5 beams
September 2022
Main truss float-in on Span 4
Deck Concrete on Span 4
April-May 2023
U.S. 60 highway connections tie-in
Traffic moved to new bridge
Demolition of old bridge
September-November 2023
Final roadway surfacing
